Turkish opposition hits Kurdish policy

ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- An opposition leader in Turkey said Tuesday the government is mishandling the threat of Kurdish nationalists, citing the attack that killed seven soldiers.

Deniz Baykal, leader of the Republican People's Party or CHP, criticized the governing Justice and Development Party for continuing with its Kurdish initiative. Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan has been trying to give Kurds more rights to bring them into the political mainstream.

"The street conflicts continue and the state and its security forces remain helpless against such incidents," Baykal said. "Buses are stopped and set on fire. Civilians are targeted. An atmosphere of panic and chaos are dominating the country."

The seven soldiers died Monday when members of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known by its acronym PKK, ambushed a patrol in a rural area in Tokat in central Turkey.

While the PKK is outlawed, Baykal suggested the government is effectively steering Kurds into the group.